Wire stripping machine

ABSTRACT

A pair of cylindrical wire brushes are mounted one above the other and arranged for simultaneous rotation and axial reciprocation in opposition to each other. The brushes are carried by respective, generally L-shaped arms which are supported on a common vertical pivot. The generally axial reciprocation is achieved by rotational oscillation of the supporting arms.

United States Patent 1151 3,694,843 Seitert 1 1 Oct. 3, 1972 [541 WIRE STRIPPING MACHINE 2.297.976 10/1942 Nachtman ..15/77 3,286,292 ll/l966 Smith et al.....................l5/77 [72] g' i' Scum Syracuse 3,534,422 /1970 Carpenter etal ..15/ss Pri E minerEdward L. Roberts [73] Asstgnee: E. R. Selfert, lnc., Syracuse, NY. z gjfi Stone [22] Filed: July 28, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 166,740 [57] ABSTRACT A pair of cylindrical wire brushes are mounted one 52 us. (:1. ..15/88, /77, 51/33 R. above the other and arranged for simultaneous rom- 51/40 tion and axial reciprocation in opposition to each [5|] Int. Cl. ..A46b 13/02 other- The brushes e carried by e pect generally 58 Field of Search ..15/77, 88, 97, 102; 29/90, behaved m which are supported on a common r- 29/90 5; 51 23, 33 tical ivot. The generally axial reciprocation is achieved by rotational oscillation of the supporting [56] References Cited arms.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1942 Hamilton .51/40 3 Guns 5 PATENTEDUCT 3 I972 SHEEI 1 0F 4 a GE INVENTOR.

ERICH R. SElFERT BY ATTORNiY PATENTEnucI 3 m2 SHEET 3 OF 4 FIG. 3

INVENTOR.

ERICH R. SEI FERT WW ATTORNEN PATENTED 8F 3 2 SHEEI '4 OF 4 m GE I NVEN TOR.

ERiCH R. SEIFERT ATTORNEY wnu: STRIPPING MACHINE BRIEF DESCRIPTION This invention relates to a novel wire stripping machine of the type in which wire to be stripped is inserted between two spinning wire brushes.

Insulation is often stripped from end portions of wire by inserting the end portions between a pair of spinning, cylindrical, wire brushes arranged similarly to the rolls of a mangle, but spaced apart in accordance with the thickness of the wire to avoid excessive cutting and abrasion of the metal by the brushes. A fixed guide is usually provided for the wire to ensure that it enters the gap between the brushes at the desired angle, and, when the machines are fed manually, to provide a leverage base for the operator.

The operation is fast and fairly eflicient, but in machines presently available, the brushes must be replaced very frequently because annular grooves are formed in them where the wires are inserted. Wear is concentrated along a relatively short portion of their length corresponding to the width of the wires being stripped. The operator can continue to strip in many cases until the grooves become fairly deep, using the fixed guide as a pivot to swing the wire up and down, first against one brush then against the other. This practice is usually satisfactory for wire made of copper or bronze, but is not tolerable for aluminum wire, which is soft and easily abraded. For copper and bronze wire, it is highly desirable, and for aluminum wire essential strictly to limit engagement of the metal by the spinning brushes.

The wire stripper of the invention not only avoids the above-noted problems, but also achieves an improved stripping action, removing the insulation more cleanly and rapidly than do the previous machines. Brush life is greatly improved. Grooves do not form in the brushes; instead wear is distributed evenly along their entire lengths and they can be kept in use until the bristles are almost completely worn off.

Briefly, in accordance with the invention, the rotat ing wire brushes are carried on brackets which are mounted on a common vertical pivot and reciprocated in rotation at a relatively slow rate. In plan, the brackets form a U with the pivot at the center of the bight. The brushes are mounted respectively the outer ends of the U, one above the other, and as the brackets swing they carry the brushes along arcs tangent to their axes of spin. The brushes are driven through a belt and pulley arrangement, preferably by separate motors. The motors are mounted on the supporting base, and drive the brushes through driven pulleys carried on the brackets at points fairly close to the main vertical pivot. In this way oscillation of the brackets does not cause excessive mis-alignment of the belts connecting the motors to the driven pulleys. Also, the weight of the brackets is minimized to minimize wear at their main pivots and thus to ensure long operating life.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view, with parts stripped away, of a wire stripping machine according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the machine as seen from the right side of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view, with parts broken away; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view particularly showing the shroud covering the bushes.

As shown, the wire stripping machine of the invention is supported on a rigid base 10, which mounts a main, vertical pivot post 12 extending upwardly at the rear. A pair of generally L-shaped brackets 14 and 16 are joumalled on the post 12, one above the other, and extend forwardly, forming a U pattern in plan. Cylindrical brushes l8 and 19 are removably fixed on horizontal shafts 21 and 22 at the forward ends of the brackets. The brushes 18 and 19 are supported one above the other between the two brackets, and in operation are rotated by belt and pulley drives. Pulleys 24 and 25 fixed to the outer ends of the shafts 21 and 22, respectively, are rotated by respective belts 27 and 28, which are driven by other pulleys 30 and 31 carried on counter-shafts 33 and 34. The counter-shafis 33 and 34 are journalled in and extend across the brackets 14 and 16, respectively, along axes spaced rearwardly from the shafts 21 and 22 that carry the brushes.

Drive motors 36 and 37 (FIG. 2) are mounted in the base 10 and connected through belts 39 and 40 to drive the respective counter-shafts 33 and 34.

The brushes l8 and 19 are thus driven in rotation, preferably in opposite angular directions, but in the same direction, if desired, to minimize the drag they exert on a wire inserted between them for stripping. They are also simultaneously oscillated at a relatively slow rate about the center defined by the main vertical pivot 12. For this purpose, a wheel 42 carrying a crank pin 43 and an eccentric 44 is fixed on a vertical shaft 45 joumalled on the base and laterally offset from the right hand bracket 16. A connecting rod 48 extends between the crank pin 43 and the forward end of the right hand bracket 16. A second connecting rod 49 extends from the eccentric 44 to a rear extension 51 fixed to the left hand bracket 14. The shaft 45 is driven at a relatively slow rate by any convenient means such as the separate motor 50 and worm reduction gear 51 shown. The crank pin 43 and eccentric 44 are preferably oriented relative to each other to drive the brackets 14 and 16 in phase opposition so that the lateral forces exerted by the brushes on the wire will be in opposition and the brushes will not tend to move the wire sideways.

The stroke of the crank pin 43 and the eccentric 44 is preferably set so that the brushes are driven to, but not beyond positions where they both just make contact with the entire width of the wire to be stripped.

It is the swinging motion of the brushes l8 and 19 that distributes the wear over their entire lengths, and avoids the development of annular grooves centrally along their lengths. The swinging motion also appears to improve the stripping action of the brushes, and to leave the wire with a cleaner and smoother appearance. The reason for the effect is not understood, but it may be likened to the polishing effect of a bootblacks brushes on a pair of shoes.

Machines of this kind are usually used for stripping hard and highly adherent insulation from wires of rectangular cross-section. Accordingly, provision is made to adjust the spacing between the brushes I8 and 19 so that they can be held properly spaced apart for stripping both the flat faces and the edge faces of rectangular wires, and can be readily adjusted for stripping wires of various different dimensions without unduly abrading the metal beneath the insulation.

The lower brush 18, as shown, is carried on the left side bracket 14, and is fixed in elevation. The upper brush 19 is carried on an auxiliary link 52, which is pivoted on the right hand bracket 16 along a horizontal axis just behind the counter-shaft 34. The upper brush 19 is vertically swingable through a limited travel. It is biased downwardly by the weight of the link 52 and its journal and shaft assembly. its height is controlled by one of two vemier screws 54 and 55 (FIGS. 2 and 3) depending on the momentary position of a manually operated selector cam 57. The screws are threaded vertically through the link 52 near its outer end. The first screw 54 is aligned to engage a fixed flange 59 extending from the bracket 16. The second screw 55 is aligned to engage the cam 57.

in practice, the first screw 54 is adjusted to support the upper brush 19 at the desired height while the cam 57 is in its retracted position, and the second screw 55 is adjusted to support the brush 19 at a higher position while the cam is in its advanced position. To prepare the machine for stripping rectangular wire of any given cross-sectional dimensions. the two screws 54 and 55 are appropriately adjusted, and thereafter it is only necessary alternately to retract and to advance the cam 57 for stripping first the flat sides of the wire and then the edges.

In accordance with the usual practice, a detent 60 (F lG. 4) is positioned behind the brushes [8 and 19 to limit the length of wire stripped. The detent is preferably adjustable, back and forth, to allow for different length requirements. Also, a guide member 62 (FIGS. 4 and is fixed in front of the brushes to assist the operator in aiming the wires into the gap between the brushes.

A shroud 64 is also preferably arranged as a hood over the brushes to facilitate the collection of dust and detritus by air suction, and belt guards (not separately designated) are provided in accordance with the usual safety practice.

What is claimed is:

l. A wire stripping machine of the kind having a pair of cylindrical wire brushes mounted one above the other for rotation about parallel horizontal axes, the machine comprising:

a. a base support,

b. a pivot post fixed to and extending upwardly from said base.

c. a pair of generally L-shaped arms pivoted on said post and extending horizontally therefrom to form a U with said post at the center of the bight.

d. a pair of horizontal spindles journalled at the outer ends of said arms for removably mounting the brushes,

e. means for rotating said spindles at a high speed suitable for wire stripping by brushes mounted thereon, and

f. means for oscillating said arms through a limited arcuate travel at a relatively low speed while said s indles aredriven in r tation. 2. wire stripping mac lne according to claim 1 wherein one of said spindles is vertically movable, and

including means for alternately and selectively supporting said vertically movable spindle in one of two preselectable positions vertically spaced from the other one of said spindles.

3. A wire stripping machine of the kind having a pair of cylindrical wire brushes mounted one above the other for rotation about parallel horizontal axes, the machine comprising:

a. a base support,

b. a pivot post fixed to and extending upwardly from said base,

c. a pair of generally L-shaped arms pivoted on said post and extending horizontally therefrom to form a U with said post at the center of the bight.

d. a first horizontal spindle journalled at the outer end of one of said arms and extending toward the other one of said arms,

6. a link horizontally pivoted on said other arm near the rear thereof and extending forwardly beyond the forward end thereof,

f. a second horizontal spindle journalled at the end of said link in the same vertical plane as said first spindle and vertically spaced therefrom,

. means for removably fixing wire brushes to said spindles for rotation therewith,

. means for driving said spindles in rotation at a high speed suitable for wire stripping by brushes mounted thereon,

i. means for oscillating said arms through a limited arcuate travel at a relatively low speed while said spindles are driven in rotation, and

j. detent means for adjusting the angular position of said link to adjust the vertical spacing between the spindles. 

1. A wire stripping machine of the kind having a pair of cylindrical wire brushes mounted one above the other for rotation about parallel horizontal axes, the machine comprising: a. a base support, b. a pivot post fixed to and extending upwardly from said base, c. a pair of generally L-shaped arms pivoted on said post and extending horizontally therefrom to form a U with said post at the center of the bight. d. a pair of horizontal spindles journalled at the outer ends of said arms for removably mounting the brushes, e. means for rotating said spindles at a high speed suitable for wire stripping by brushes mounted thereon, and f. means for oscillating said arms through a limited arcuate travel at a relatively low speed while said spindles are driven in rotation.
 2. A wire stripping machine according to claim 1 wherein one of said spindles is vertically movable, and including means for alternately and selectively supporting said vertically movable spindle in one of two preselectable positions vertically spaced from the other one of said spindles.
 3. A wire stripping machine of the kind having a pair of cylindrical wire brushes mounted one above the other for rotation about parallel horizontal axes, the machine comprising: a. a base support, b. a pivot post fixed to and extending upwardly from said base, c. a pair of generally L-shaped arms pivoted on said post and extending horizontally therefrom to form a U with said post at the center of the bight. d. a first horizontal spindle journalled at the outer end of one of said arms and extending toward the other one of said arms, e. a link horizontally pivoted on said other arm near the rear thereof and extending forwardly beyond the forward end thereof, f. a second horizontal spindle journalled at the end of said link in the same vertical plane as said first spindle and vertically spaced therefrom, g. means for removably fixing wire brushes to said spindles for rotation therewith, h. means for driving said spindles in rotation at a high speed suitable for wire stripping by brushes mounted thereon, i. means for oscillating said arms through a limited arcuate travel at a relatively low speed while said spindles are driven in rotation, and j. detent means for adjusting the angular position of said link to adjust the vertical spacing between the spindles. 